English I: Coming of Age and the Quest for Identity
Target students: Grade 9
Pre-requisite, if needed: none
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: daily plus weekly tutorial
Description:
The thematic focus of this required course provides the platform from which students study and develop their skills in language, composition, and literature. Reading and discussion of various literary genres consider both the meaning and form of the works. Written assignments guide and encourage students to write clear, insightful, and effective analysis.
Objectives:
• To understand language as a tool to both express and define identity.
• To develop skill, control, fluency, and confidence in written language.
• To understand how ideas are expressed through literary texts.
• To develop skill in constructing careful analysis in order to give weight and validity to interpretation of literary texts.
Student Performance:
• Reading, writing, speaking
• Attendance at lectures, films, demonstrations
• Hands-on projects
Assessment:
• Objective and essay tests and quizzes
• Formal and informal writing assignments
• Active participation in small and large group discussion and activities
• Two-semester journey book project
Text/materials needed:
Hamilton, Mythology
Homer, The Odyssey (Fagles trans.)
Knowles, A Separate Peace
McCullers, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Mortenson/Relin, Three Cups of Tea
Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
English II
Target students: grade 10
Prerequisite: English I
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating priority: all grade 10 students
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: daily, plus weekly tutorial
Description:
This required course engages students in an extensive study of the short story form in the first semester, helping them to acquire a critical vocabulary and learn specifically about the literary elements of Plot, Character, Setting, Theme, Style, Tone, and Point of View. The writing component focuses on literary analysis, with an emphasis on organization, structure, and thesis statement development. Regular vocabulary study is required. In the second semester students study multiple or longer works by major authors as well as literary criticism. The writing component focuses on research, with students preparing a major documented research essay on a literary topic. Regular vocabulary study is once again required.
Objectives
• To acquire a working knowledge of literary terminology and technique.
• To develop greater interpretive and analytical skills.
• To realize that literature reflects and shapes the value structures of author, society, and reader.
• To read and analyze representative selections from the short story, novel, nonfiction, and drama.
Student Performance
• Regular close reading of all assigned materials with text annotation for identification/analysis/interpretation of key passages, as well as regular participation and note-taking in class discussions
• Production of formal analytical essays as well as less-formal reader response reflections and questions
• Regular dictionary consultation
Assessment
• Pre-assessment, formative assessment and post-assessment in the areas of content, vocabulary, and participation, including both objective and performance-based models.
Text/Materials needed:
Bronte, Jane Eyre
Roberts and Jacobs, eds., Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing
Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition
Information Seeking
Target Students: All students enrolled in English II.
Pre-Requisite: None
Number of times course can be taken: 1
Seating Priority: Students enrolled in English II
Credit per semester: .25
Meeting time: online
Description:
Information Seeking offers true life-long learning. The contents of this course will be integrated into existing projects, papers and assignments being completed in English II. The additional skills taught in this class are common to all disciplines, learning environments and levels of education. This class addresses the increasingly important skills that students need to intelligently use technology and sort through the complexity of information being presented to them from a variety of places in a range formats. In this class the students will become trained thinkers, seekers, evaluators and users of information.
Objectives:
• Access needed information effectively and efficiently from a variety of sources.
• Critically evaluate and use information while understanding the many economic, legal and social issues surrounding information use.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of various aspects of computers, software and networks.
• Demonstrate an ability to use software and online services including computer based collaboration tools.
• Demonstrate an understanding of identity and information security in reference to network accounts, social networks, etc.
Student Performance:
• Activities assigned in Information Seeking will be integrated into existing assignments and projects being completed in English II.
• Students will be responsible for reading lecture notes and completing online tutorials.
• Online discussion forums will play an integral role in the understanding of new resources and information seeking strategies.
• Students will complete a number of hands on activities both in and outside of the library.
• A culminating project in which the students will share their research findings.
Assessment:
• Evaluation of class participation on the online discussion forums.
• Completion of activities and tutorials.
• Show an understanding of concepts taught through the culminating project.
